PE Exam – Construction. Questions &
Correct Answers Latest 2026-2027.
Graded A
3 Cases of primary consolidation - Anscase 1: soil is already normally
consolidated
case 2: soil remains overconsolidation
case 3: soil was overconsolidation but becomes normally consolidated
A two-story multi-family residential structure is being construction in a high
seismic area. Which construction type is most likely to be used? -
AnsWood Framing
(2-story, low rise residential)
"High-seismic" is a distractor
AASHTO
A-1, A-2, A-3
A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7 - AnsA-1, - A-3: granular materials
A-4 - A-7: silt-clay
A-1 is best subgrade rating
A-7 is worst
Acceleration equation - Ansa = fg
1
,Active earth Pressure - Anssoil is in extension
wall moves away from soil
Active Earth Pressure Diagram - Ans
Active vs Passive Phrase - AnsActive = A = Away=Extension (Vowels)
Passive=toward=compression (Consonants)
Advantage of Precast Concrete - AnsHigher quality fabrication from casting
off-site
Can accelerate construction schedules
advantages of soil compaction - Ans- increase strength and stability
- reduce compressibility (settlement)
- reduce permeability
AOA (Activity on Arc)
Define Dummy Nodes & Dummy Activities - AnsDummy Node: Used when
2 activities have the same starting and ending event
Dummy Activity: Have no duration, used to prevent an activity from
occurring in more than 2 spot
Applying the CPM (steps) - Ans1. Specify each activity
2. Sequence the activities
3. Draw the network diagram
4. Identify the CP
5. Update to show progress
2
,ASD
service level loads are used for the design - AnsAllowable strength design
Factor of safety (omega) is applied to the nominal strength is based on load
type (shear, axial, moment)
Assumptions for Engineering Economics Problems - AnsInflation is 0%
through lifetime of project
Effective interest rate is constant through lifetime of project
Year-end convention (earnings & cash flows occur at the end of the year)
Assumptions for reinforced concrete beam design - AnsConcrete is
assumed to resist compression only
Tension is resisted by the steel reinforcement
shear is resisted by stirrup bars positioned vertically
Assumptions of trusses - Ansall joins are represented as pinned
connections
all loads are applied at joints so each member will be subject to axial forces
only (tension or compression)
At-rest earth pressure - AnsNo soil movement
system is in equilibrium
Strain in the soil is near 0
At-rest earth pressure diagram - Ans
3
, Atterberg Limits
4 basic states of soil - AnsUsed to describe the consistency of fine-grained
soils
Solid, semisolid, plastic, liquid
Available Design Methods for Construction Loads - AnsAllowable Stress
Design (ASD)
Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)
Base failure - Ans
Bearing Capacity - Ansthe ability of a soil to support a foundation without
shear failure
Bending Moment - Ansthe resultant moment of he normal stresses in the
beam
Bending stresses increases _________ from the neutra axis - Anslinearly
Bernoulli's equation assumptions: - AnsConservation of energy
There is no fluid friction
The fluid is incompressible
The changes in thermal energy are negligible
Building Type & Construction Method - AnsResidential: Light wood stick
framing
Commercial: Wood, steel, or masonry
4
Correct Answers Latest 2026-2027.
Graded A
3 Cases of primary consolidation - Anscase 1: soil is already normally
consolidated
case 2: soil remains overconsolidation
case 3: soil was overconsolidation but becomes normally consolidated
A two-story multi-family residential structure is being construction in a high
seismic area. Which construction type is most likely to be used? -
AnsWood Framing
(2-story, low rise residential)
"High-seismic" is a distractor
AASHTO
A-1, A-2, A-3
A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7 - AnsA-1, - A-3: granular materials
A-4 - A-7: silt-clay
A-1 is best subgrade rating
A-7 is worst
Acceleration equation - Ansa = fg
1
,Active earth Pressure - Anssoil is in extension
wall moves away from soil
Active Earth Pressure Diagram - Ans
Active vs Passive Phrase - AnsActive = A = Away=Extension (Vowels)
Passive=toward=compression (Consonants)
Advantage of Precast Concrete - AnsHigher quality fabrication from casting
off-site
Can accelerate construction schedules
advantages of soil compaction - Ans- increase strength and stability
- reduce compressibility (settlement)
- reduce permeability
AOA (Activity on Arc)
Define Dummy Nodes & Dummy Activities - AnsDummy Node: Used when
2 activities have the same starting and ending event
Dummy Activity: Have no duration, used to prevent an activity from
occurring in more than 2 spot
Applying the CPM (steps) - Ans1. Specify each activity
2. Sequence the activities
3. Draw the network diagram
4. Identify the CP
5. Update to show progress
2
,ASD
service level loads are used for the design - AnsAllowable strength design
Factor of safety (omega) is applied to the nominal strength is based on load
type (shear, axial, moment)
Assumptions for Engineering Economics Problems - AnsInflation is 0%
through lifetime of project
Effective interest rate is constant through lifetime of project
Year-end convention (earnings & cash flows occur at the end of the year)
Assumptions for reinforced concrete beam design - AnsConcrete is
assumed to resist compression only
Tension is resisted by the steel reinforcement
shear is resisted by stirrup bars positioned vertically
Assumptions of trusses - Ansall joins are represented as pinned
connections
all loads are applied at joints so each member will be subject to axial forces
only (tension or compression)
At-rest earth pressure - AnsNo soil movement
system is in equilibrium
Strain in the soil is near 0
At-rest earth pressure diagram - Ans
3
, Atterberg Limits
4 basic states of soil - AnsUsed to describe the consistency of fine-grained
soils
Solid, semisolid, plastic, liquid
Available Design Methods for Construction Loads - AnsAllowable Stress
Design (ASD)
Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)
Base failure - Ans
Bearing Capacity - Ansthe ability of a soil to support a foundation without
shear failure
Bending Moment - Ansthe resultant moment of he normal stresses in the
beam
Bending stresses increases _________ from the neutra axis - Anslinearly
Bernoulli's equation assumptions: - AnsConservation of energy
There is no fluid friction
The fluid is incompressible
The changes in thermal energy are negligible
Building Type & Construction Method - AnsResidential: Light wood stick
framing
Commercial: Wood, steel, or masonry
4
